Prosecutors allege that Jason Grondon used crack cocaine before killing his uncle for money to pay off a drug debt and stealing his debit card.

But a defense attorney says his client will plead not guilty and will contest a confession Saline police say Grondon made to a detective.

Grondon, 33, is facing an open murder charge in the death of his uncle, Robert Green, a 63-year-old Saline resident who was found dead in his townhouse in January. The preliminary hearing will continue June 10 with a final witness after more than four hours of testimony Wednesday from police, relatives and other witnesses.

The most damning testimony Wednesday came from Saline Detective Don Lupi, who talked about a confession Grondon made to him. He said Grondon initially blamed the killing on an associate only known as "Tay," who Grondon said he owed $500.

Washtenaw County Medical Examiner Bader Cassin testified that Green died as a result of being struck in the head six times with a blunt-edged object.

Grondon was taken into custody several hours after Green's body was discovered. During his first interview, Grondon claimed a man named "Tay" walked into Green's basement while he was talking to his uncle and hit Green with a pipe, Lupi said. The detective said Grondon told him he tried to stop "Tay." but ran when the man continued striking Green.

Robert Green

Outside the courtroom, Lupi said he never found anyone with the nickname or name of "Tay."

Lupi testified he told Grondon his story wasn't believable and wanted the truth. In a second interview that day, Lupi said Grondon confessed to the crime.

Grondon told Lupi he went to his uncle's house to ask for money. A struggle ensued, and Grondon saw a pipe on the floor and struck his uncle, Lupi said.

Grondon said in the interview that he "blacked out" after the initial blow and had been using crack cocaine 30 minutes before going to his uncle's home, Lupi said.

Tim Niemann, Grondon's attorney, said Lupi using deceptive tactics while interviewing Grondon. During cross examination, Niemann pointed out Lupi said Grondon's story wasn't believable because no one saw a second person with Grondon that day. Lupi said the statement was truthful at that time, although no neighbors had seen Grondon that day either. One neighbor reported seeing his car.

Lupi and Washtenaw County Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Hankamp testified that Grondon had blood on his clothing and hands when they first made contact with him. Outside court, Lupi said tests to determine if it was blood are still pending.

Prosecutors also are trying to establish that Grondon used his uncle's debit card after killing him.

Employees of a local gas station and bank testified that a charge for $35.17 was made on Jan. 28, after Green was believed to be dead. A red car police said Grondon was known to ride in was seen on video at a gas pump, but a bank official couldn't confirm the charge occurred at the same time as the gas station's record showed. Prosecutors plan to call another employee from the bank on June 10.

During one exchange between Lupi and Niemann, the defense attorney said Grondon wasn't as popular as other members of his family. Lupi said Green accepted Grondon, and they had a friendship.